After Rebirth, I Married my Archenemy - Chapter 82

The next day marked the investiture ceremony.  

Fragrant incense curled through the grand hall, mingling with the golden glow of morning light. One of the ceremonial female officials’ duties was to guide the consorts to their seats, ensuring they expressed their gratitude and delivered auspicious words with grace.  

Qun Qing had been preparing for the banquet before dawn, staying occupied until the first rays of sunlight caught on the golden hairpins swaying atop Consorts Han and Lü.  

Zheng Zhiyi wore the ceremonial robe that Qun Qing had altered for her—it fit perfectly, neither too long nor too short. Beneath the phoenix crown, her cheeks were flushed with excitement, her expression carrying a trace of solemnity. But the moment someone praised her, she broke into a bright smile, lifting her skirt to twirl and show it off.  

“Look! Isn’t it beautifully altered by Ceremonial Official Qun?” she exclaimed playfully.  

Her lighthearted display drew laughter from the assembled consorts, and even Qun Qing couldn’t help but smile.  

From a distance, Li Xuan took in the lively scene. For a brief moment, his expression softened, his gaze lingering on the women’s laughter. But then, remembering the weight of today’s ceremony, a shadow passed over his face.  

After coordinating with another ceremonial official to arrange the consorts’ seating, Qun Qing stilled her smile and returned to her designated place among the female officials. As she stood there, her eyes swept the crowd, searching for someone.  

Among them stood Xu Lin, known as Registrar Xu, the palace record keeper. Her long, narrow face was unreadable. Her lips pressed into a firm line. When their gazes met, Qun Qing’s breath caught. Panic surged through her, and she quickly averted her eyes, slipping further into the crowd. A slow, mocking smile curled at the corner of Registrar Xu’s lips.  

For the past two years, she had worked cautiously for Southern Chu, never once making a mistake. She had seen many spies who had tried to escape. And every single one had met their end at her hands. But the Crown Prince’s leniency toward Qun Qing irritated her. A traitor like her should have been executed, yet she had been spared.  

Still, she was not her priority today.  

As Princess Bao’an entered the hall, dressed in formal attire, Registrar Xu’s attention shifted instantly.  

She hadn’t forgotten the wax-sealed message she had retrieved by the rear window just days ago—left behind by another “Heaven” operative in the palace.  

The red seal stood out clearly, but “Heaven” agents within the palace were never supposed to contact one another. The location of the wax pellet had also been unusual, making Registrar Xu cautious. However, when she saw that the sender had identified herself as Princess Bao’an, she found it somewhat understandable.  

As the Crown Prince’s younger sister, Princess Bao’an held a noble status. Unlike other spies, she had not undergone rigorous training, so a few lapses in discretion were to be expected.  

When Xu Lin had opened the message, she saw that the plan was precise and well thought out. It detailed an assassination attempt on Li Huan during the investiture ceremony, requiring the two of them to work together.  

Though she had already made her own arrangements, she still wanted to confirm everything one last time.  

Just as she was deep in thought, Yang Fu approached her. Golden silk ribbons trailed from her jet-black hair, and a delicate golden ornament rested at the center of her forehead. Her dark eyes carried a sorrowful, questioning look. As she moved, her fan slipped from her hand and fell to the floor.  

Xu Lin immediately bent down, picked it up, and handed it back to her. Their eyes met briefly before Yang Fu gave her a small nod—it was time to act.  

Xu Lin finally felt reassured.  

As Yang Fu walked past, she took a deep breath. She thought back to her time at Xianyou Temple, where she had suddenly received a wax-sealed message from Registrar Xu.  

The Southern Chu spies who had previously contacted her had all been eliminated. She had assumed the Crown Prince had simply sent a new spy to relay orders. But when she broke the seal and read the message, she found Registrar Xu’s directive: she was to cooperate in assassinating Li Huan during the investiture ceremony.  

Ever since she had parted ways with Li Huan at Xianyou Temple, Yang Fu had regretted not taking action against him. Now, there was no turning back.  

But she had never killed before. The unbearable tension burned in her throat like fire.  

At that moment, she thought of Qun Qing—the one who had become a spy for her sake. How had Qun Qing carried out assassination after assassination? Why could Qun Qing do it, but she couldn’t?  

Qun Qing lowered her gaze, her long, curled lashes casting butterfly-wing shadows on her cheeks. Her expression was eerily calm, as if none of this had anything to do with her.

Outside the window, Jian Su peeked inside, glancing first at Qun Qing, then at Lu Huating. 

“Lady Qing looks completely unaware. Are you sure something is going to happen today? Or are you just messing with me?”  

Lu Huating chuckled and waved a hand behind him. 

“Sanlang, Come over here. See for yourself.”  

At that moment, Emperor Chenming and the Empress took their seats, and a eunuch’s high-pitched voice rang out, announcing the investiture decrees for the Crown Princess and the Consort of Prince Yan.  

The Empress handed Zheng Zhiyi the official seal and investiture document. Then, Xiao Yunru stepped forward and presented the consort’s seal to Yang Fu, who was dressed in full ceremonial attire.  

Yang Fu’s gaze fell on the slightly rounded belly of Princess Yan. A pang of sorrow struck her, laced with an indescribable sting of pain and resentment.  

She had already made up her mind to carry out the assassination. Perhaps it was only fitting for her relationship with Li Huan to end on such a joyous occasion…  

Just then, Xiao Yunru suddenly paused and glanced at Li Huan, who stood beside Yang Fu. 

“Your Highness, why aren’t you wearing your fragrance pouch today?”  

Li Huan hesitated briefly before clearing his throat. “I forgot.”  

Xiao Yunru studied him for a moment but said nothing more. She bowed and withdrew to the side hall.  

As per Dachen royal tradition, the investiture ceremony included the drinking of Hejin wine—a symbolic gesture for good fortune. A eunuch stepped forward, carrying a tray with a wine jug and two cups.  

Qun Qing watched as Yang Fu, hands trembling, picked up the wine jug and discreetly sprinkled the powder hidden under her fingernail into the cup. But her fingers shook too much, and more than half of the powder spilled outside the cup.  

Li Huan frowned. “What’s wrong?”  

Yang Fu couldn’t bring herself to speak. She simply shook her head.  

Li Huan signaled for a eunuch to bring a silk cloth to wipe the spilled wine before finally lifting the cup and drinking it down.  

“Your Highness,” Yang Fu said as she noticed him growing dizzy, “you must be overwhelmed with emotion, which makes you more susceptible to intoxication. Let us rest behind the screen.”  

With that, she quickly supported him and guided him to a chair behind the screen.

At that moment, another figure moved—Xu Lin. Silently, she slipped away. As she walked, her wide sleeves brushed against the screen, her fingers subtly tracing the carved patterns until they reached the exact spot she was looking for. She cast a glance inside.  

Li Huan sat slumped in the chair, his head in his hands, unconscious.  

This man, who had once loved her so desperately, was about to die.  

Yang Fu’s face was ashen as she gazed at him. Then, across the screen, her eyes met Xu Lin’s, heavy with sorrow.

But Xu Lin felt nothing. With a slight flick of her sleeve, she triggered the hidden mechanism. Two silver needles shot through the gaps in the screen, swift and deadly, aimed directly at Prince Yan’s temples.  

At that instant, Yang Fu suddenly cried out, “No!”  

She shoved Li Huan aside.  

At the same moment, “Li Huan” leaped to his feet, causing Yang Fu to stumble and fall.  

The silver needles missed their mark, shattering the teacup on the table instead.  

Startled, Xiao Yunru sprang up, drawing a guard’s sword. Chaos erupted in the room.  

Xu Lin’s mind buzzed—she could hardly believe what she was seeing. She had planned this assassination with Princess Bao’an, and success had been within her grasp. But now, Yang Fu had ruined everything. A wave of shock and fury crashed over her.  

She turned to flee, but seven palace guards had already surrounded her.  

Her face went ashen. Then, she spotted Qun Qing leading the Crown Prince forward, and her disbelief deepened. She glared at Qun Qing with hatred.  

Qun Qing merely saluted Li Xuan and calmly said, “The Southern Chu spy within the Shanggong Bureau has been identified. I present her to Your Highness.”  

Xu Lin protested, “I have served in the Shanggong Bureau for years without fault. My only crime was questioning Official Qun’s palace registry, and now she seeks ruthless revenge!”  

“Registrar Xu should still have a hidden needle mechanism in her sleeve. If she refuses to admit guilt, I have further proof,” Qun Qing said, presenting a golden arrow and a transcribed document to Zheng Fu, who then handed them to Emperor Chenming.  

The Emperor’s gaze landed on the arrow. “What is this?”

At the sight of these two objects, Concubine Lü furrowed her brows. Taking careful steps forward, she pleaded, 

“Your Majesty, this is the arrow that struck the envoy during the autumn hunt. I was in charge of the event that day.”  

That incident had never been solved. Emperor Chenming’s expression darkened. 

“Explain.”  

Qun Qing had boldly handed the evidence directly to the emperor, making Concubine Lü seethe with anger. But she had no choice. Forcing a smile, she explained, 

“It was the foolish work of an overeager servant in my palace, eager to flatter Your Majesty. They crafted arrows with different weights—those meant for Your Majesty and the princes were the heaviest, while those for lower-ranked officials were made lighter, making it harder for them to strike large prey. This was simply meant to avoid competition with Your Majesty.”  

Qun Qing couldn’t help but admire Concubine Lü’s quick thinking. In truth, the arrows had likely been altered to embezzle the gold used in their construction.  

Emperor Chenming was not easily deceived, but hearing her explanation, he only chuckled. He found her desperate attempt to please him amusing and chose not to expose the lie.  

Concubine Lü continued, “Since the culprit behind the hunt’s sabotage was never caught, I could not rest easy. After interrogating the palace staff, I finally uncovered a lead—this very arrow. The one who fired it that day was none other than Registrar Xu.”  

Since she was still a palace official, Emperor Chenming gave his verdict with a cold expression. “Send her to the Ministry of Justice.”  

Xu Lin’s face turned deathly pale. She turned a hateful gaze toward Princess Bao’an, as if she wished to flay her alive. As she was dragged away, she suddenly pointed at Qun Qing and shouted, 

“This was all your doing! How else could you have known so much? Unless you, too, are a spy! What other explanation is there? Your Majesty, she is undoubtedly a spy!”  

“Silence!” Li Xuan commanded.  

From the corner of her vision, Qun Qing saw Xu Lin being gagged and taken away.  

Now, in the palace, only one ‘Heaven’ remained.  

Yang Fu stood motionless, her skirts pooling around her. She had thought she would be able to end everything quickly, but as tears streamed down her face, she realized nothing had gone as planned. The poisoned wine she had prepared had already been switched.  

But the greatest blow came when the “Li Huan” she had personally given the wine to simply bowed and withdrew.  

Then, the real Li Huan, unharmed, entered the hall with his close attendants and shadow guards. His voice was hoarse as he knelt. 

“Your son greets Father.”

Li Pan sneered. “Sanlang, is this how you handle matters? Deploying your shadow guards so freely at an imperial banquet—have you no regard for royal dignity?”  

Li Huan glanced at Yang Fu, who had collapsed to the floor, unable to speak. His hands clenched tightly within his sleeves. Moments ago, he had personally witnessed her offering the poisoned wine to his double. If not for the substitution, she would have truly tried to kill him.  

He had never cared whether Yang Fu loved him or not, but seeing it with his own eyes still sent a chill through his heart.  

The cruelest irony was that the first person to recognize his double as an imposter was not Yang Fu—but his wife, Xiao Yunru.  

Li Huan took a deep breath and said, “Your son was eager to root out the spies. I beg Your Majesty and Mother Empress for forgiveness.”  

Li Pan smirked. “The Crown Prince was the one who captured the spy. Someone clearly knew her identity in advance but chose to stage this entire performance instead of reporting it. All so everyone could witness Sanlang’s little drama.”  

Emperor Chenming abruptly slammed the table, silencing the hall. “Lu Huating! Once or twice, I could tolerate it, but this is an imperial banquet, not a place for your clever tricks! Half a year’s salary will be docked—reflect on your actions!”  

Lu Huating knelt without a word, his back straight as he accepted the emperor’s anger without betraying a hint of emotion. Jian Su shot him a glance, surprised by his silence.  

Qun Qing lowered her gaze, but from the corner of her eye, she observed Lu Huating. He remained still, his posture unwavering, his emotions unreadable.  

They had captured ‘Heaven.’ Lu Huating was punished.  

By all accounts, this should have been a double victory. Yet, inexplicably, a faint sense of guilt crept into Qun Qing’s heart.  

Li Pan leaned toward Li Xuan and murmured, “This Lady Qing is quite useful.”  

Li Xuan said nothing.  

Li Pan continued, “Meng Xiang has matters to discuss with you, elder brother. Once the Spring Festival passes, we should think about how to curb Sanlang’s growing influence.”